Mrs. Moira A. (Durkin) McDonald

Moira A. McDonald Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother CHELMSFORD--Moira Ann (Durkin) McDonald, age 74, of Chelmsford passed away Monday, September 28, 2021 after a long battle with restrictive lung disease. Moira was born on July 10, 1947 in Lowell, Massachusetts and grew up on Lincoln Street. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart Elementary School and would later graduate from Lowell High School in 1965. Pursuing her love and talent for art, Moira earned a scholarship that would allow her to continue her education and earn her a degree from The New England School of Art in Boston. Moira came from a large Irish Catholic family in Lowell, and grew up surrounded by many family members that would instill a lifetime of family unity and faith in her. She prided herself on continuing that legacy within her own children and grandchildren. Moira enjoyed nothing more than spending every minute of her time or every dollar in her pocket on her family. There were countless vacations to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida, and beach vacations to Seabrook Beach in New Hampshire and Pine Point Beach in Maine. She looked forward to her Saint Patrick’s Day spread for her children and their families, and hosting her Christmas Party with her siblings and their children as well. Moira was a talented artist and would spend hours painting nautical scenery which she proudly displayed in her house like a gallery. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law,and aunt. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary C. (Hickey) Durkin, her father, John Leo Durkin, her infant sister Marcie Durkin, and her brother, John Leo Durkin II. She is survived by her husband, Frederick Francis McDonald, with whom she just celebrated 50 years of marriage; a son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Kristen McDonald, a daughter and son-in-law, Marci and Mike Trainor, a son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Melissa McDonald, and a son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Lana McDonald; eleven grandchildren; Liam, Aidan, Molly and Bridget Trainor, Tessa, Maryann, Rowan, MaryKate, Ryan, Johnny, and Maeve McDonald; a sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Glenn Mello, a brother and sister-in-law Tipper and Kitsy Durkin, a sister-in-law, Denise Durkin, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Jean McDonald and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kevin and Bobbi McDonald, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Per Moira’s wishes a small private ceremony with immediate family members will be held in her honor. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Moira’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Mrs. Moira A. (Durkin) McDonald

July 10, 2021 - September 28, 2021